• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • John Waters believes mainstream Hollywood films are finally as shocking as his cult movies
  • Sir Elton John is ‘back home and in good health’ after being rushed to hospital
  • Robin Roberts Wedding—All the ‘I Do’ Details: The Dress, the Guest List, the Snubs and More Revealed

Movie Review: Magic Mike XXL

Nathaniel Rogers July 2, 2015

magicxxl-intheround
Mike & friends return for another show. You're welcome.

When Magic Mike opened three years ago it was something of a risky proposition. Male stars exploiting their bodies for a young male star's dream project loosely based on his own stripping career which he felt no shame about? Who would have guessed? Cut to three years later: Magic Mike and Friends (minus The Kid and Dallas “alright alright alright”) have returned to movie theaters with much teasing and blockbuster fanfare to a relatively new pop cultural context they helped create: male objectification is increasingly the norm. Just ask Chris Pratt, the ascendant superstar of the moment (Guardians of the Galaxy, Jurassic World) who has acknowledged that his new body was key to his ascendance and that he's all for it… the objectification.

This wondrous new world of happily exposed man-flesh makes Magic Mike XXL feel curiously demure. Usually sequels go for more-more-more but XXL (the title is a misnomer) downsizes even as the stages get larger. There's less plot since it's essentially a road trip movie but most curiously there's much less nudity even if the women this time around seem a lot more eager to see it. This withholding is smart and funny at the beginning of the film in a sensational opening dance number starring Mike and Mike alone. Channing Tatum is terrific as usual and anyone still surprised by that… sashay away. Mike shakes his own helmet clad head in his work room. He can't believe that he still has the sexually suggestive Magic moves in him — and the urge to perform them, too.

anigif_original-5332-1423068652-15

But that same withholding wears thin as the finale approaches. The new coyness is a bit puzzling since nearly the same exact team assembled for the sequel and the stars seem to have worked even harder on perfecting their physiques. Perhaps Matthew McConaughey's Oscar-worthy exhibitionism was the key to how randy and uninhibited the first film felt? Though the Oscar-winning Steven Soderbergh famously retired from feature film directing with Magic Mike (what a film to go out on) and moved to television, his stamp is still all over the sequel. He's the cinematographer, editor, and executive producer but he's turned the director's chair over to his former first assistant Gregory Jacobs.

Without the nudity, it's a good thing Gregory and Steven have other tricks to keep our eyes glued to the screen. The best decision is to amplify the comedy and Magic Mike XXL is hilarious in ways both expected like dumb lug conversations between strippers and Tatum's romantic comedy skills as well as entirely random like a long highly enjoyable detour to meet Andie MacDowell who completely steals a big scene (and the heart or at least the loins of Big Dick Richie himself, y'all). The filmmakers have also paid attention to careers post-2012 and Matt Bomer and Joe Mangianello both have highly welcome expanded roles. Bomer's Ken doll is dreamier this time and put to better use as a singing stripper and Mangianello nearly steals the movie out from under Tatum (mmmm ‘under Tatum') with XXL‘s only display of casual nudity, that big scene with MacDowell, and the film's most riotous sequence set in a mini-mart.

anigif_enhanced-11357-1423067366-18anigif_enhanced-31410-1423067397-13

That hot but languorous summer feeling of the first film carries over and while that works wonders for its shambling road movie comedy, the slow and flazéda approach is difficult to enjoy in the stripping climax, which should be the most exuberant part. Though XXL starts out like a road movie, you could argue that it turns into an old Judy Garland/Mickey Rooney style “let's put on a show” musical in its last act… if Garland and Rooney wore sparkly speedos (sorry for the image) and were a whole lot less professional about their big numbers.

The climax is seriously lacking. Between lame long stripping routines we keep taking inexplicable breaks for Jada Pinkett Smith. A whole lot of Jada Pinkett Smith. Worse still, she's already given this exact girl power emcee performance in the middle of the movie in an extended road trip stop along the way to the convention. Tons of screen time for Jada Pinkett Smith is not something anybody clamoring for more Magic Mike  would have asked for or expected or won't feel slightly cheated by. Faring a lot better is Amber Heard (former lesbian, now Mrs. Johnny Depp) who plays a female stripper who “isn't going through a boy phase” but finds herself drawn to Mike anyway.

Despite a bunch of trouble in the final act, I wouldn't dream of telling anyone not to see the picture. It's charming sexy fun for roughly 2/3rds of the running time which is more than a lot of summer blockbusters can claim. In one of the film's cutest moments, Mike does a silly spin for Zoe after introducing himself as simply “Magic” and the thing is this: he really is. And so is his singular franchise.

anigif_enhanced-20643-1423067179-23

In what other movie could a face-humping move like this actually double as a sweet romantic comedy character beat for two lonely people, and yet it does. If you don't believe me see the picture!

As with the first film, which dropped us into a lengthy hilarious sandbar party on the Fourth of July the national holiday plays a key role again. When the light display begins, the camera wisely knows we don't even need to look at it. Cut to a closeup of Channing Tatum's movie star mug, eyes all lit up. Baby, he's a firework.

magicxxl-redhot

Topics: Comedy, Film/TV/Stream, Music More Posts About: Amber Heard, Andie MacDowell, Channing Tatum, Film, Jada Pinkett Smith, Joe Manganiello, Magic Mike, Matt Bomer, Nathaniel Rogers, Strippers

Related Posts
  • “Maestro” Teasers: Bradley Cooper As Leonard Bernstein; Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer (Un-teased) Take Turns As The Conductor’s Lovers
  • Channing Tatum needed make-up on his bum for Magic Mike’s Last Dance
  • Ryan Murphy makes ‘point of hope and progress’ with Golden Globes speech honouring LGBTQ+ stars
  • Sir Elton John is ‘back home and in good health’ after being rushed to hospital

    Sir Elton John is ‘back home and in good health’ after being rushed to hospital

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John is “back home and in good health” after being rushed to hospital. The 76-year-old pop icon suffered a fall at his French villa on Sunday (27.08.23) evening and …Read More »
  • Robin Roberts Wedding—All the ‘I Do’ Details: The Dress, the Guest List, the Snubs and More Revealed

    Robin Roberts Wedding—All the ‘I Do’ Details: The Dress, the Guest List, the Snubs and More Revealed

    Published by OK Magazine Here's to the newlyweds! On Friday, September 8, Good Morning America star Robin Roberts tied the knot with her girlfriend of 18 years, Amber Laign. The reporter broke the news on her …Read More »
  • Ellen DeGeneres announces TV return after 16-month absence

    Ellen DeGeneres announces TV return after 16-month absence

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Ellen DeGeneres has announced her return to TV. The 65-year-old star's eponymous ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show' came to an end in May 2022 after 19 seasons and she's now revealed her …Read More »
  • Madonna ‘Would Love’ for Britney Spears to Come on Tour With Her After Recent Split From Sam Asghari

    Madonna ‘Would Love’ for Britney Spears to Come on Tour With Her After Recent Split From Sam Asghari

    Published by OK Magazine After Sam Asghari filed for divorce from Britney Spears, it seems like her good pal Madonna is hoping to help her out by bringing her on her Celebrations Tour once it resumes …Read More »
Previous Post: « Anti-Gay Texas AG Ken Paxton Could Face Life In Prison For Securities Fraud – VIDEO
Next Post: Cuba Receives Certification For Eliminating Mother-To-Child HIV And Syphilis Transmission »

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent

  • John Waters believes mainstream Hollywood films are finally as shocking as his cult movies

    John Waters believes mainstream Hollywood films are finally as shocking as his cult movies

  • Sir Elton John is ‘back home and in good health’ after being rushed to hospital

    Sir Elton John is ‘back home and in good health’ after being rushed to hospital

  • Robin Roberts Wedding—All the ‘I Do’ Details: The Dress, the Guest List, the Snubs and More Revealed

    Robin Roberts Wedding—All the ‘I Do’ Details: The Dress, the Guest List, the Snubs and More Revealed

  • Ellen DeGeneres announces TV return after 16-month absence

    Ellen DeGeneres announces TV return after 16-month absence

  • Madonna ‘Would Love’ for Britney Spears to Come on Tour With Her After Recent Split From Sam Asghari

    Madonna ‘Would Love’ for Britney Spears to Come on Tour With Her After Recent Split From Sam Asghari

  • Lourdes Leon, Daughter Of Madonna, Shocks With See-Through String Dress At Victoria’s Secret Show

    Lourdes Leon, Daughter Of Madonna, Shocks With See-Through String Dress At Victoria’s Secret Show

  • Mike Pence Confronted by Emotional Mom of Trans Child About Laws to Protect Lgbtq Kids From Violence

    Mike Pence Confronted by Emotional Mom of Trans Child About Laws to Protect Lgbtq Kids From Violence

  • ‘This Was a Brand New Subject’: Donald Trump Grilled by Megyn Kelly About Supporting Trans Caitlyn Jenner in 2016

    ‘This Was a Brand New Subject’: Donald Trump Grilled by Megyn Kelly About Supporting Trans Caitlyn Jenner in 2016

Adjacent News

  • Did the UAE ban the Barbie movie? What about Saudi Arabia?

    Did the UAE ban the Barbie movie? What about Saudi Arabia?

  • From penal camp, dissident Navalny calls on Russians to resist Putin

    From penal camp, dissident Navalny calls on Russians to resist Putin

  • As contentious judicial ‘reform’ becomes law in Israel, Netanyahu cements his political legacy

    As contentious judicial ‘reform’ becomes law in Israel, Netanyahu cements his political legacy

Good Trash: Going to Read It Somewhere, Y'know

  • Beyonce pays tribute to stabbed fan

    Beyonce pays tribute to stabbed fan

  • Dwight Howard’s Assault Accuser Submits Uber Receipt as Evidence in Court Battle With Ex-Lakers Star

    Dwight Howard’s Assault Accuser Submits Uber Receipt as Evidence in Court Battle With Ex-Lakers Star

  • After Bud Light, Ukraine ‘Scandals,’ Garth Brooks Surprises Again

    After Bud Light, Ukraine ‘Scandals,’ Garth Brooks Surprises Again

Partner Links

  • WATCH: Rosie O’Donnell chats with Kathy Griffin about her triumphant return to Las Vegas & more!
    Rosie O’Donnell has just gotten over her first bout with Covid-19. […]
  • #ThrowbackThursday
    Was tickled to death to receive this old photo from my […]
  • Wombat Wednesday!
    I love wombats. I love their little stubby legs. I love […]
  • Charlie Kirk: Retirement Isn't Biblical, So Cancel Social Security
    This BOZO. CHARLIE KIRK (HOST): Look, for current beneficiaries, none of […]
  • “Rihanna & ASAP Rocky did a photoshoot with their son Riot Rose” links
    View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miles Diggs […]

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy
[towleroadmr] [towleroadtn]

Footer

Ptown Hacks 2018

Read

  • Travel
  • Film
  • Law – LGBT Rights
  • Columns
  • Specials

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

×
×